Times reporters blog about high school sports across the Southland

Track: L.A. High has a track star in the making

May 20, 2010 | 7:34
pm

His name is Nana Amankwah. He's a senior at Los Angeles High who was born in Ghana and had never participated on the track team until March. He was a basketball player.

But his coach, Herman Franklin, finally convinced him to try the 800 meters, and what an athlete he has become. He ran 1:55.17 to win his heat on Thursday at the City Section track and field prelims at Birmingham and will be a heavy favorite for next Thursday's final.

"Who knew _ I guess I'm good at it," Amankwah said.

Crenshaw (41.22), Dorsey (41.57) and Taft (41.78) each won their heats in the boys' 400 relay. Birmingham (48.43), Taft (48.33), Dorsey (48.59) and Carson (48.17) won heats in the girls' 400 relay.

Among individuals, Antuan Goodall of Taft (48.66) and Gregory Ducre of Crenshaw (48.89) look headed for a showdown in the 400. De'Anthony Thomas of Crenshaw (10.74) and Robert Herron of Dorsey (10.82) led the qualifiers in the 100. Thomas (21.33) and Jonathan Downard of Crenshaw (21.32) were the top qualifiers in the 200. Pablo Rosales of San Pedro (9:43.16) and Javert Solorzano of Granada Hills (9:43.35) topped the qualifiers in the 3,200.

In the girls' competition, Jasmine Woods of Woodland Hills El Camino Real was the leading qualifier in the 100 (12.11) and 200 (24.54). Freshman Jacklyn Bamberger of Palisades (11:58.28) led the way in the 3,200.